MARSH GENTIAN / Gentiana pneumonanthe

The flowers are used to make a blue dye (Usher), and it has the usual gentian medicinal uses, though the early ones are a bit unusual. Gerard, for instance, reported that “the later Physicians hold it to be effectual against pestilential diseases, and the bitings and stingings of venomous beasts”. One of the Saxon leechdoms, translated by Cockayne, advised the use of this plant (under the name ‘marsh maregall’) if “a worm eat the hand”. The patient was required to “boil marsh maregall, red nettle, dock, … in cow’s butter. Then shake three parts of salt on. Shake up, and smear therewith. Lather with soap at night”.